8 county-level rules, plus city-specific rules for 9 cities in Contra Costa County, California.
Verified from official government sources
Backyard chickens are allowed in most unincorporated Contra Costa County residential and agricultural zones, typically with 4–6 hens per parcel, no roosters in residential zones, and coop setbacks of 20–40 feet from dwellings. Agricultural zones allow higher counts.
All dogs 4 months and older in unincorporated Contra Costa County must be licensed annually and vaccinated against rabies. Dogs must be leashed in public and may not run at large. Contra Costa Animal Services in Martinez and Pinole enforces.
Contra Costa County uses a behavior-based dangerous-dog process under Chapter 416 and California Food & Agricultural Code §31601 et seq. Dogs declared potentially dangerous or vicious face confinement, insurance, muzzling, and signage requirements. Breed-specific bans are preempted by state law.
California Food & Agricultural Code § 31683
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to prevent a city or county from adopting or enforcing its own program for the control of potentially dangerous or vicious dogs that may incorporate all, part, or none of this chapter, or that may punish a violation of this chapter as a misdemeanor or may impose a more restrictive program to control potentially dangerous or vicious dogs. Except as prov...
Beekeeping is allowed in most unincorporated Contra Costa County residential and agricultural zones subject to hive setbacks (typically 10–20 feet from property lines) and registration with the County Agricultural Commissioner. Africanized-bee incidents trigger mandatory requeening.
California Food & Agricultural Code § 29040
Every person that is the owner, broker, or is in possession of an apiary that is located within the state, on the first day of January of each year, shall register the number of colonies in each apiary that is owned or possessed by the person and the location of each apiary. Every person required to register under this article, shall do so on the first day of January of each year in which they ...
Exotic and wild animals are broadly prohibited in unincorporated Contra Costa County. California Fish and Game Code restricts ownership of venomous snakes, big cats, primates, and most non-domestic species. Permits through CDFW are rare and tightly limited.
CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Required for every new permit, permit renewal or amendment of an existing permit, nonrefundable. Restricted Species Permit Inspection 1-5 Enclosures: $319.50 6-25 Enclosures: $448.00 26-50 Enclosures: $730.00 51-100 Enclosures: $1,147.50 101-500+ Enclosures: $4,234.50 Aquaculture: $2,124.75 ELE/MOU: $619.25 Required for every new permit or renewal of an existing permit. New and Renewal Inspecti...
Wildlife in unincorporated Contra Costa County is regulated primarily by California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). It is illegal to feed deer, coyotes, raccoons, or wild turkeys. Depredation permits are required to remove protected wildlife damaging property.
CA Dept. of Fish and Wildlife
Human-wildlife conflict (HWC) can occur when humans encounter or interact with wild animals in an unwanted or unsafe way. In California, habitat loss and a changing climate have increased the frequency and type of HWC reported to CDFW. It has become more common for people to be "living with wildlife" as communities grow along the urban-wildlands interface and wildlife look for limited resources...
Livestock (cattle, horses, goats, sheep, pigs) is allowed in unincorporated Contra Costa County's agricultural and large-lot residential zones with setbacks and density limits in the county zoning code. Urban and suburban areas generally prohibit livestock.
Unincorporated Contra Costa County generally allows up to 4 dogs and 4 cats per residential parcel without a kennel permit. Exceeding these limits or operating a boarding/breeding business requires a kennel permit from Animal Services and proper zoning.
9 cities in Contra Costa County have their own animal ordinances rules. Each link goes to that city's dedicated page with code citations.
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
8 verified rules • Beekeeping, Breed Restrictions
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